Mowing machine



Jdne 10, 1941.. w. SIMPSON ETAL 2,245,452

, MOWING mcnms Filed June 10, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet l I HOWARD W. SIMPSON ARAM ABGARIAN ATTORNEY J1me 1941- w. SIMPSON ETAI ,452

MOWING MACHINE ARAM ABGARIAN A TTORN E YS June 10, 1941'.

I H. w. SIMPSON ETAL MOWING MACHINE Filed June 10, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.9.

FIG.7.

S R Y N 2 mo m N R EPN O WMA N 1 m A B WA AMW! WA OR HA Y B 5 G F Patented June 10, 1941 UNITED STATE az sasz MOWING MACHINE Howard Abgarian,

Harvester Company,

tion of Michigan Simpso Detroit, Mich,

Deai'born. and Ann alsis ors to Detroit Detroit, Mich, a oorpora- Application June n, 1940, sci-a1 No. 339,800

18 Claims.

This invention relates generally to mowin machines such as tractor operated mowers, and constitutes an improvement upon the structure embodied in the application filed January 22,

1940, bearing Serial No. 315,112.

One of the essential vobiects of the invention isto provide the tractor with a removable auxiliary frame for carrying the mower structure. Thus, the grey iron castings of the tractor to which various supporting brackets and parts of the mower structure have in the past been con-. nected will be relieved of loads and strains which otherwise might cause them to be injured or broken.

Another object is to suspend the mower assembly in such a way from the auxiliary frame that (l) the angle and crank shaft is reduced, and (2) the mounting for the mower assembly is up closer to the tractor and thus affords greater ground clearance.

Another object mounted propeller shaft housing in conjunction with a universally mounted transversely extendthemower assembly from ing rod for supporting the auxiliary frame on the tractor. Thus, the usual longitudinally extending rod and associated parts heretofore used for such purposes are unnecessary and have been dispensed with entirely. Another object is to provide a mower structure wherein the housing for a part of the drive mechanism for the sickle bar is adjustable relative to the auxiliary frame to serve as a belt tightener.

Another object is to improve generally the structure and operation of machines of the type mentioned.

Other objects, advantages and novel details of construction of this invention will be made more.

apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 4

Figure 1 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view through a mowing machine embodying our invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-7-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the hue 5-4 of Figure 1:

Figure 6 is a sectional view 6-8 of Figure 2;

view of the structure taken substantiallybetween the propellerv shaft 1 is to utilize the universally iicient strength for taken on the line I Figure '1 is a sectional view taken on the line 'II- of Figure 2;

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken onthe line 88 of Figure 2;

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken'on the line 9-9 of Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawings, A is the tractor, B is the auxiliary frame, and C is the mower assembly of a mowing machine embodying our invention.

As shown, the tractor A is conventional in design and has a chassis Ill including the front and rear axle housings II and I2, respectively, and a power take-off shaft IS.

The auxiliary frame B is supported by U-bolts i4 and i5 and plates l6 and H from the chassis of the tractor and comprises two longitudinally extending tubes l8 and IS, a crossbeam 20, and

a transversely extending hitch bar 2|.

bolts H and I5 straddle the rear axle housing l2 and are secured to brackets 22 and 23 rigid with the tubes l8 and I9, while the plates l6 and I! are rigid with the tubes l8 and I9 at the forward ends and are bolted to the meeting flanges 24 and 25, respectively, of suitable castings 26 and 21' of the chassis. Preferably the forward casting 26 is formed of steel and is connected to and constitutes a support for the front axle housing II. If desired, such support may be an iron casting or a forging or a steel stamping of sufthe purposes set forth. The casting 2'! is the cylinder block of the engine and may be of any suitable material. The crossbeam 20 is located substantially midway between the connections just mentioned and is bolted to the tubes I! and I9. The hitch bar 2| is carried. by rearwardly extending end pieces or arms 28 and 29, respectively, of the tubes l8 and I9 and has a series of holes 30 therein for receiving 001).-

plings (not shown) for plows, harrows and other appliances or devices. Preferably this hitch bar 2| is provided with suitable braces 3| and 32 that converge toward and are secured to an anchorage pin 33 on the housing 34 of the chassis.

The mower assembly C is hingedly connected to a supporting bracket 35 and preferably comprises a ground-engaging shoe 36, a mowerbar'il rigid with and projecting laterally outward from said shoe, and a reciprocating cutter bar or sickle bar 38 carried by said mower bar.

The driving means from the power take-off shaft II of the tractor to the sickle bar 38 preferably comprises a transmission shaft 39 substantially parallel to the power take-01f shaft l3, pulleys II and ll, respectively, carried bysaid shafts l3 and 39-, belts 42 reeved on said pulleys, a propeller shaft 43 connected by a universal joint (not shown) to the transmission shaft 39 and inclined downwardly and forwardly therefrom at substantially an eight-degree angle relative to the ground, a crank shaft 44 connected by a universal joint (not shown) to the lower end of the propeller shaft 43 and inclined downwardly and forwardly at substantially a seven-degree angle relative to the ground, and a pitman 45 terminally connected to the crank portion 40 of the crank shaft and to the sickle bar 38.

In the present instance, the hinge connection between the mower assembly C and the supporting Bracket 35 includes a pin 41 and an arm 48. As shown, the pin 41 extends through adjacent portions ofthe shoe fl and bracket I and is in axial alignment with the crank shaft 44, while the arm 48 is rigid with the shoe 3' and has a bearing portion 48 mounted to turn in concentric relation about the crank shaft 44. Thus, the mower assembly C is mounted to swing about the axis of the crank shaft 44, which, as stated above, is inclined downwardly and forwardly at substantially a seven-degree angle relative to the round.

Suitable housings El and II are provided for the transmission and propeller shafts 39 and 43, respectively. Preferably the housing II for the transmission shaft is adjustably connected to the auxiliary frame B so as to serve as a belt tightener, while the housing II for the propeller shaft 43 is utilized in conjunction with a transversely extending rod 52 for supporting the bracket 35 and the mower assembly C from the auxiliary frame B on the tractor. As shown, a bracket 53 rigid with the transmission shaft housing 50 is pivotally connected to a bracket 54 fixed to the underside of the tube II. An adjusting screw 55 threadedly engages the bracket 53 and bears against a shoulder 54 of the bracket 54. Thus, by adjusting the screw 55 the housing 50 for the transmission shaft 39 carrying pulley 4i may be moved relative to the power take-oil shaft It to loosen or tighten the belts 42 as desired.

The propeller shaft housing 5| is connected at one end by a universal joint 51 to the trans mission shaft housing 50 and is connected at its other end by a universal Joint 58 to the hinge bracket 35.

The transversely extending rod 52 projects laterally from the hinge bracket 35 and is connected at its remote end by a universal joint 59 to the crossbeam 20. Preferably this universal connection 59 is at the left side of the tractor and is higher than the universal connection 51 between the housings SI and SI, so that the supporting bracket 35 for the 'mower assembly C is mounted for swinging movement about a diagonal axis inclined rearwardly and downwardly at an angle comparable with the seven-degree angle previously mentioned relative to the hinge connection between the mower assembly 0 and bracket 35, to compensate for and counteract any tendency of the mower assembly to tilt or incline forwardly when swinging upwardly or downwardly about said hinge connection relative to the ground.

To permit the mower bar 31 and sickle bar 38 carried thereby to swing back in substantially a horizontal plane a limited amount when an obstacle is encountered during operation of the machine, both the tubular housingil and propeller shaft 43' are of the telescoping type as set forth in the application Serial No. 315,112. A coil spring 60 terminally connected to the hinge bracket 35 and to the attaching plate is normally holds the mower bar 3'! at substantially right angles to the tractorfor proper cutting action, but is of course yieldable to permit the backswing mentioned of the mower bar when an obstacle is encountered.

For counterbalancing the mower assembly, we have provided two coil springs BI and 52, respectively. Preferably the spring 62 extends transversely beneath the tractor and is terminally connected to a depending arm 64 rigid with the tube IQ of the auxiliary frame and to an upstanding arm 6! rigid with the mower shoe 36. 'lhe spring I extends longitudinally of the tractor and is terminally connected to a bracket 88 rigid with the tube IQ of the auxiliary frame and to an upstanding arm 61 of a bell crank lever 08 pivoted on a bracket 89 rigid with the tube It of the auxiliary frame. The depending arm III of the bell crank lever is connected by a chain II to the hinge bracket SI.

In the present instance, the mower assembly 0 is faised and lowered relative to the ground by a hydraulically actuated cable I2. As shown, the cable is trained about suitable pulleys I3, 14 and II, respectively, and is terminally connected to the upright arm 05 on the shoe It and to a lever 16 actuated from a piston 11 within a hydraulic cylinder 18. As usual, the tractor carries a pump I! that is operatively connected to the engine of the tractor and is connected to the cylinder I8 by a conduit II. A manually operable lever 8| is provided adjacent the driver's seat 82 of the tractor and is connected by suitable linkage 83 to a valve (not shown) in the casing 84 for controlling the ilow of the fluid from the pump I9 through the conduit ll to the cylinder 18.

Preferably the pulley 13 for the cable 12 is carried by an upright arm I! connected by a pivot pin 88 to the hinge bracket 35, while the pulle'y I4 and the bell crank lever I! are carried by a stub shaft 81 projecting laterally from the bracket 0!. The pulley I5 is carried by a stub shaft 88 rigid with the bracket 22. Thus, when the cable 12 is actuated by the lever 18 to raise the mower assembly C, the hinge bracket 35 will swing upwardly about the universal joints 5! and I1, and the mower shoe 3! and bar 31 carried thereby will swing about the hinge connection with said bracket 35. An adjustable pin 89 carried by the upright arm I! on the shoe is engageable with the hinge bracket 35 to limit upward swinging movement of the mower am.

What we claim as our invention is:

1. In a mowing machine, a tractor having a chassis including a power take-oi! shaft, an auxiliary frame supported from the chassis, a mower assembly supported from'the auxiliary frame and including a sickle bar, a driving connection between the power take-off shaft and sickle bar including a transmission shaft substantially parallel to said power take-off shaft, pulleys on said power take-01f and transmission shafts, a belt reeved on said pulleys, and a housing for said transmission shaft adjustable relative to said allel to said power take-oi! shaft, pulleys on said power take-oil and transmission shafts, a belt reeved on said pulleys, and means for varying the tension of the belt on said pulleys, including a housing for the transmission shaft pivotally connected to said auxiliary frame, and means for swinging the housing about its pivotal connection.

3. In a mowing machine, a tractor having a power take-off shaft, an auxiliary frame carried by said tractor, a mower assembly including a sickle bar, a driving connection between the power take-off shaft and sickle bar including a transmission shaft, and means for supporting said mower assembly from the auxiliary frame including a housing for the transmission shaft adjustably suspended from said auxiliary frame.

4. In a mowing machine, a tractor having a power take-oil shaft, an auxiliary frame carried by said tractor, a mower assembly beside the tractor and including a sickle bar, a driving connection between the power take-off shaft and sickle bar including a transmission shaft operatively connected to the power take-off shaft, a propeller shaft connected to the transmission shaft, and means for supporting the mower assembly from the auxiliary frame including a housing for the transmission shaft connected to the auxiliary frame, a housing for the propeller shaft having a universal connection with the housing for the transmission shaft, a supporting bracket for the mower assembly having a universal connection with the propeller shaft housing, and a rod projecting from the bracket and having a universal connection with the auxiliary frame.

5. In a mowing machine, the combination with a tractor provided at its forward end with castings having meeting flanges, one of said castings being a support for a front axle of the tractor, the other being a cylinder block of an internal combustion engine, and bolts connecting said flanges, of a mower assembly at one side of the tractor, and supporting means for said mower assembly including an auxiliary frame having portions fastened by the bolts aforesaid to said meeting flanges.

6. In a mowing machine, the combination with a tractor, and a mower assembly at one side of the tractor, of means for supporting the mower assembly from the tractor including tubes at opposite sides and connected to the tractor, two brackets carried-by one of said tubes at spaced points longitudinally thereof, and counterbalancing means for the mower assembly including a pivotally mounted bell crank lever on one of said brackets, a chain terminally connected tosaid leverand mower assembly, and a coil spring terminally connected to the lever and to the otherof'the brackets.

7. In a mowing machine, the combination with a tractor, and a mower assembly at one side of the tractor, of means for supporting the mower assembly from the tractor including tubes extending lengthwise of the tractor at opposite sides thereof, and means for counterbalancing the mower assembly including two brackets on one of said tubes at spaced points longitudinally thereof, a bell crank lever on one of said brackets, a coil spring terminally connected to the other of said brackets and to said bell crank lever, a chain terminally connected to said lever and mow,er assembly, a bracket on the other of said tubes, and a coil spring terminally connected to the mower assembly and last mentioned bracket.

8. In a mowing machine, the combination with a tractor having a power take-ofl shaft, a mower assembly adjacent the tractor and including a cutter bar, and a driving connection between the power take-off shaft and cutter bar including a transmission shaft, and a propeller shaft, of a pivotally mounted housing for the transmission shaft, a hinge bracket for the mower assembly, and a housing for the propeller shaft universally connected at one end to the transmission shaft housing and universally connected at its other end to the hinge bracket.

9. In a mowing machine, the combination with a tractor having a chassis including front and I5 rear axle housings and a support for the front axle housing, of an auxiliary frame supported by U-bolts andplates from the chassis, the U-bolts I straddling the rear axle housing, and the plates being rigid with the auxiliary frame and bolted to the support for the front axle housing.

10. In a mowing machine, the combination with a tractor having a chassis including front and rear axle housings and a support for the front axle housing, of an auxiliary frame including longitudinally extending tubes supported by U-bolts and plates from the chassis, the U- bolts straddling the rear axle housing, and the plates being rigid with and projecting laterally from the forward ends of the tubes and bolted to the support for the front axle housing.

11. In a mowing machine, the combination with a tractor having a chassis including power take-off shaft, a mower assembly adjacent the tractor and including a cutter bar, and a driving connection between the power take-off shaft and cutter bar including a transmission shaft, and a belt for transmitting a driving force from the power take-oi! shaft to the transmission shaft, of an auxiliary frame supported from the chassis of the tractor and including a longitudinally extending member, a tubular housing for the transmission shaft, pivotally connected brackets rigid with the auxiliary frame and tubular housing respectively, and an adjustable element carried by one of said brackets and engageable with the other to swing the tubular housing relative to the auxiliary frame so that the belt aforesaid may be loosened or tightened.

12. In a mowing machine, the combination witha tractor having a rear axle housing and a power take-off shaft, a mower assembly adjacent the tractor and including a cutter bar, and a driving connection between the power take-off shaft and the cutter bar including a transmission shaft, of means for supporting the mower assembly and transmission shaft from the tractor including an auxiliary frame extending longitudinally of the tractor, a bracket rigid with said frame suspended from the housing and having means for supporting a part of a power lift mechanism for the mower assembly, and a tubular housing for said transmission shaft suspended from said auxiliary frame.

13. In a mowing machine, the combination 14. In a mowing machine, the combination Y with a tractor having a chassis and a power takeoff shaft, a mower assembly including a cutter bar, and a driving connection between the power take-oft shaft and cutter bar including a transmission shaft and a propeller shaft, of means for supporting the mower assembly from the tractor including an auxiliary frame supported from the chassis, a supporting bracket connected to the mower assembly, a rod projecting from the supporting bracket and connected to said auxiliary frame, and housings for the transmission and propeller shafts aforesaid, one of said housings being connected to the auxiliary frame.

15, In a mowing machine the combination with a tractor having a chassis and a power takeoff shaft, a mower assembly including a cutter bar, and a driving connection between the power take-oil. shaft and cutter bar including a transmission shaft and a propeller shaft, of means for supporting the mower assembly from the tractor including an auxiliary frame supported from the chassis, a supporting bracket hingedly connected to the mower assembly, a rod projecting laterally from the supporting bracket and universally connectedcto said auxiliary frame, and universally connected housings for the transmission and proeiler shafts aforesaid, one of said housings being connected to the auxiliary frame, the universal connection between the rod and auxiliary frame being at a higher elevation than the universal connection between said shaft housings so that the supporting bracket for the mower assembly may swing about a diagonal axis inclined downward relative to the auxiliary frame.

16. In a mowing machine, the combination with a tractor having a chassis including front andrearaxiehousingsandasupportforthe frontaxle housing, and a newer assembly adjacent the tractor, of means for supporting the mower assembly from the tractor including an auxiliary frame having a member extending longitudinally of the chassis, a supporting bracket connectedtotherearaxlehousingandtosaid longitudinally extending member, and a supporting member connected to said longitudinally extending member and to the support for the front axle housing.

17. Inv a mowing machine, the combination with a tractor having a chassis including front and rear axle housings and a support for the front axle housing, of an auxiliary frame extending longitudinally of the chassis, and means for supporting said frame from the chassis including U-bolts straddling the rear axle housing, brackets connected to the U-bolts and connected to said auxiliary frame, and plates connected to the auxiliary frame and to the support for the front axle housing.

18.'In a mowing machine, the combination with a tractor having a chassis including front and rear axle housings and a support for the front axle housing, of an auxiliary frame extending longitudinally of the chassis, and means for supporting said frame from the chassis including brackets connected to said rear axle housing and to said auxiliary frame, and plates connected to the auxiliary frame and to the support for the front axle housing.

HOWARD W. SIMPSON. ARAM ABGARIAN. 

